The European Union releases 10 billion euros for Hungary, on the eve of a crucial summit for Ukraine

A victory for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The European Commission announced on Wednesday December 13 that it had released 10.2 billion euros in cohesion funds intended for Hungary. The move comes on the eve of a major European summit on Ukraine, where EU member countries must validate aid of 50 billion euros to Ukraine and launch accession negotiations. However, Viktor Orban alone could derail the summit, since the unanimity of the Twenty-Seven is required.

The Commission has frozen 21.7 billion euros of European funds intended for Hungary in December 2022 due to the breaches of the rule of law accused of Budapest. She explained in a press release that the reforms introduced by this country to improve the independence of its judicial system were sufficient to allow it to access 10.2 billion euros.